India vs Sri Lanka 2017: After a pasting at the hands of Hardik Pandya in the first session, in which India scored 158 runs riding on the allrounder’s blistering 108 off 96 deliveries, India bowlers ran rough shots against the hosts to bowl them out for 135 in the first innings.

| TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Aug 13, 2017, 09:46 PM IST

Highlights

Hardik Pandya's blistering 108 helped India to 487 in their first innings

Shami claimed two wickets up front before Kuldeep got in to the act with 4 for 40 as SL were shot down for 135 in first innings

Sri Lanka ended the day at 19 for 1, trailing India by 333 runs

NEW DELHI: The vast gulf between India and Sri Lanka at the Test level has been on full display over the course of the series and day two of the third and the final Test at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Sunday, only magnified how much Sri Lanka have fallen off the tracks. After a pasting at the hands of Hardik Pandya in the first session, in which India scored 158 runs riding on the allrounder's blistering 108 off 96 deliveries, India bowlers ran rough shot against the hosts to bowl them out for 135 in the first innings.

The slight glimmer of hope that the Lankans had after winning two session over India on day one meant nothing on day two as SL failed to curtail the Indian tail. Pandya exhibited excellent temperament to negotiate the first hour of play sensibly, combining for a 62-run stand for the eighth wicket with Kuldeep Yadav (26), before he switched to his beast mode taking 58 runs in just 32 deliveries batting with number 11 batsman Umesh Yadav en route to his maiden first-class triple-figure mark with the help of eight fours and seven sixes.

After Lakshan Sandakan got rid of a gritty Kuldeep and Mohammad Shami in quick succession, Pandya upped the ante with belligerent hitting that had Sri Lanka stunned.

Pandya started off with a six off Sandakan before ploughing in to Malinda Pushpakumara with two fours and three sixes in one over. Pandya danced down the track to the left-arm spinner to good effect and in the process, took India past the 450-run mark. A six off Kumara and Sandakan was followed by two back-to-back boundaries that earned him his first-ever triple-figure score in first-class cricket.

The extended session after India lost their ninth wicket should have helped Sri Lanka but Pandya's hitting meant Sri Lanka were back to square one after two good sessions on day one. Sandakan claimed 5 for 132

With the first innings score stretched to 487, it was time for the Indian bowlers to take centerstage. Shami claimed two wickets up front before chinaman bowler Kuldeep got in to the act with 4 for 40. Shami was on point right from the start, finding his line and length, and hint of away movement from an angle made life tough for both SL openers Upul Tharanga and Dimuth Karunaratne.

Shami claimed Tharanga in the 3rd over when the left-hand batsman was undone by the one that just nipped away and the edge was taken well by Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.

An over later, Shami bowled it full outside off and Karunaratne prodded and the outside edge went to Saha. The misery continued for the Lankans as Kushal Mendis found himself at the receiving end of good fielding from Ravichandran Ashwin and great presence of mind from Kuldeep. Dinesh Chandimal's drive was stopped at mid-on by Ashwin and he threw the ball at the non-striker's end. Mendis was halfway down the track but the poor throw meant Mendis had time to comeback. However, Kuldeep at short cover covered up and hit the bullseye to send Mendis back for 18.

Pandya then got in to the act with full delivery that jagged back in to beat Mathews' defence. At tea Sri Lanka were 61 for 4, and their downward slide continued in the final session as well. A brief resistance from skipper Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella accounted for a 63- run stand for the fifth wicket, before Kuldeep fooled Dickwella to come down the track to a loopy delivery only to be stumped by Saha. An over later, Dilruwan Perera pulled a rank-turner, but as luck would have it, the ball went straight to Pandya at deep midwicket.

With the pressure on, Chandimal was bogged down and it did not take much time for Ashwin to break the SL skipper. Chandimal went back to a flighted delivery only managing an inside edge that looped to leg gully. Kuldeep's googly in the next over had Pushpakumara walking back followed by Vishwa Fernando's wicket. Ashwin finished off the Lankan innings scalping Sandakan. Kuldeep finished with 4 for 40 while Shami got 2 for 17 and Ashwin claimed 2 for 22.

Back on for the second time after India opted to enforce the follow on, Tharanga and Karunaratne batted for a while longer than the first innings before Tharanga prodded at a wide delivery from Umesh Yadav and was castled for seven. Sri Lanka ended the day at 19 for 1, trailing India by 333 runs.

more from times of india Sports

All Comments ()+^ Back to Top

Characters Remaining: 3000

Continue without login

or

Login from existing account

FacebookGoogleEmail

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.